City council has given preliminary approval for a new cannabis dispensary in North Delta.
To be referred to a public hearing, the rezoning application by A.L. Sott (Delta Shoppers Inc.) would see a 2,745-square-foot dispensary opened at the shopping centre located at 120 - 8077 120 Street, near the Superstore.
A planning department report notes that the proposed dispensary would be operated by Inspired Cannabis Co., an established non-medical cannabis retail brand with four cannabis dispensaries in B.C., two in Saskatchewan and five in Ontario.
Inspired Cannabis Co. is a family-run business founded by two owners who have over 15 years of experience in starting up and operating seven community pharmacies in the Vancouver area.
Similar to cannabis dispensaries, pharmacies operate in a highly-regulated environment, therefore, the management team has experience complying with provincial regulations and Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch licensing requirements, the report notes.
Around 3,000 notifications were issued to area residents but just a few responses were received including several people in opposition.
The concerns included the proposed dispensary’s proximity to McCloskey Elementary School. McCloskey is just over one km away.
The report notes staff consulted with the school district, which feels that the separation distance is fairly large between the elementary school and the proposed cannabis dispensary.
